Protective covers for electronic devices

ABSTRACT

A system for protecting a surface of an electronic device includes a protective film and a liner. The protective film includes an adhesive-coated surface. The liner, which covers the adhesive-coated surface until the protective film is secured to the surface of an electronic device, covers a periphery of the adhesive-coated surface. The liner may also include one or more tabs for facilitating removal of the liner from the adhesive-coated surface of the protective film. Methods for using the system to apply a protective film to a surface, such as a surface of a display screen, of an electronic device are also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/878,451, filed on Oct. 8, 2015 and titled PROTECTIVE FILMS FORELECTRONIC DEVICES, now U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/009,057, issued Jun. 26,2018 (“the '451 Application”), which is a continuation U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/223,713, filed on Sep. 1, 2011, titledPROTECTIVE COVERING FOR AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE, which claims the benefitof U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/379,151 filed on Sep. 1,2010, titled DRY APPLIED CELL PHONE FILM. The entire disclosure of eachof the foregoing patent applications is hereby incorporated herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a protective cover forelectronic devices and particularly a cover that improves and simplifiesinstallation of the protective cover on such devices.

RELATED ART

In recent years, technological developments have resulted in anexplosion of electronic devices used in numerous facets of commercialand every day activities. Specifically, due to advances in technologyand improvements in methods of manufacture, portable electronic devices,such as cell phones, smart phones, or tablet computers, for example,have become affordable for a significantly greater percentage of thepopulation and are used for an increased variety of purposes. Due to thecommon use of these devices, they are prone to scratching or damage fromuse. Different types of coverings used to protect the surfaces of theseelectronic devices and, in particular, the data display screensassociated with these devices, have evolved from hard, thick covers tothin flexible films applied directly to the surface of the device. Theprotective covers are intended to preserve the quality of the display aswell as the overall quality of the device over time.

Application of these films, however, has posed significant challengesfor users. For example, many types of films have an adhesive disposedabout a surface of the film to facilitate tacking or adherence of thefilm to the device. A removable protective layer, sometimes referred toas a release liner, has been used to cover the adhesive until the useris ready to apply the film to the device. An example of release linersand films is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,613,411 which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

Release liners, such as those described above, are used for a widevariety of films and sheet material: graphic films, screen protectors,address labels, wound protecting bandages, medical tapes, decals,optical tapes, and paint protection films. While release liners servethe purpose of protecting the adhesive, a single liner often makesinstallation of the main product difficult in several ways. For example,in the case of protection films, removing the release liner prior toinstallation leaves the adhesive exposed to dust, lint, andfingerprints. Without liquid, smoothly laying down the film in thecorrect position upon the first adherence is nearly impossible. Toattempt a successful dry installation of a protection film, the filmmust slowly be tacked down from one side while the other side remainselevated. This makes alignment very difficult and leaves the filmsusceptible to dust and fingerprints. In other cases, the film may bealigned properly but may entrain air pockets or other undesirablematter. Still other problems are encountered during installation of thefilm due to the elasticity inherent in films. Specifically, whileinstalling a film, a user will often stretch the film so that it extendsbeyond its intended length.

Some have attempted to solve this problem by rolling back the releaseliner and aligning the exposed adhesive portion correctly beforeremoving the remaining liner and then tacking down the rest of thematerial moving to the opposite end. Others have attempted to adhere alarger material over the covering so that it can be handled and placeddown without touching the covering or its adhesive side once the releaseliner is fully removed. In each case, however, there is no fullyreliable system for correct alignment on the first attempt. In the caseof a larger material over the covering that can be temporarily tackeddown, the alignment issue is only partially solved, and there is not asimple method for removing the liner once in place without fullyexposing the adhesive coating. Thus, there is a need for an improvedmethod which allows for easy, proper alignment of a material to beadhered and easy removal of the liner while also protecting the adhesivefrom exposure to lint, dust, and fingerprints in the process.

SUMMARY

In light of the problems and deficiencies inherent in the prior art, thepresent invention seeks to overcome these by providing an improveddevice and method for covering an electronic device. Generally speaking,in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a cover has a firstlayer comprising a film with opposing first and second sides, the filmbeing configured to cover an outer surface of an electronic device. Asecond layer is provided which is removably disposed about a firstportion of the first side of the film. A third layer is also providedand is removably disposed about a second portion of the first side ofthe film. The portion of the film covered by the second layer is greaterthan the portion of the film covered by the third layer. The third layeralso comprises a tab member disposed about an edge of the third layer. Acenter axis of the tab member is substantially collinear with a centeraxis of the third layer.

In another embodiment of the invention, a cover for an electronic deviceis provided with a first layer comprising a flexible film havingopposing first and second sides. As with the embodiment above, the filmis configured to cover an outer surface of an electronic device. Thecover also comprises a second flexible layer removably disposed aboutsubstantially all of the first side of the film. Additionally, a thirdsubstantially rigid or semi-rigid layer is disposed on a portion of thesecond layer, wherein said portion covers less than fifty percent of thesecond layer. A center axis of the third layer is substantiallycollinear with a center axis of the second layer.

In another embodiment of the invention, a cover for an electronic deviceis provided with a first layer comprising a flexible film havingopposing first and second sides. The cover further comprises a secondflexible layer removably disposed about substantially all of the firstside of the film. A groove is installed across the second layersubstantially perpendicular to a center axis of the second layer. Thegroove is configured to permit a user to fold the second layer at thegroove to provide a tab member.

In another embodiment of the invention, a cover for an electronic deviceis provided with a first layer comprising a flexible film havingopposing first and second sides. The cover further comprises a secondflexible layer removably disposed about substantially all of the firstside of the film. Additionally, the cover has a substantially inelasticthird layer removably disposed about substantially all of the secondside of the film. The third layer is more rigid than the second layer soas to facilitate simultaneous folding of the second and third layers tocreate a tab member while exposing a portion of the film for tacking.

In one embodiment of the invention, a method of covering an electronicdevice is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining a first layercomprising a flexible film with opposing first and second sides. Themethod further comprises obtaining a second flexible layer, the secondlayer being removably disposed about substantially all of the first sideof the film. The method further comprises obtaining a thirdsubstantially inelastic layer, wherein the third layer is removablydisposed about substantially all of the second side of the film. Thethird layer is more rigid than the second layer and facilitates foldingof the second layer away from the first layer. The method furthercomprises folding an end portion of the second layer away from the firstlayer to create a tab member while simultaneously exposing a portion ofthe first layer for tacking to a device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a protective cover according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views illustrating placement of aprotective cover on a surface of a device according to one embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a protective cover according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the protective cover illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a protective cover according to one embodimentof the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a front view of a protective cover according to one embodimentof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of theinvention makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which form apart hereof and in which are shown, by way of illustration, exemplaryembodiments in which the invention may be practiced. While theseexemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable thoseskilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be understoodthat other embodiments may be realized and that various changes to theinvention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention. Thus, the following more detailed description of theembodiments of the present invention is not intended to limit the scopeof the invention, as claimed, but is presented for purposes ofillustration only to describe the features and characteristics of thepresent invention, and to sufficiently enable one skilled in the art topractice the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present inventionis to be defined solely by the appended claims.

The following detailed description and exemplary embodiments of theinvention will be best understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein the elements and features of the invention aredesignated by numerals throughout.

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide, as a new articleof manufacture, a release liner system that allows for easy alignment ofa film or sheet material on a given substrate that also preventstouching of the adhesive coating and protects it from stray dust, lint,or debris during the installation of the product. The film or sheetmaterial may be installed numerous ways. In one embodiment, a splitliner of two or more pieces of release liner is disposed on the sameside of the film. One of the component release liners has an access tabthat can be used to facilitate its fingerprint-free removal. The othercomponent is removed to expose a portion of the film that may adhere tothe electronic device. The adhered portion and complementary tabbedportion facilitate proper alignment of the film. Once alignment iscomplete, the exposed film is tacked down as the remaining release lineris removed by means of the access tab. Advantageously, the addition of atab on an edge (i.e., a top, side, or bottom edge) of the release linerthat folds back on the liner allows for simple removal of the linerwhile tacking down the film on an electronic device. The specificplacement of the tab on the liner facilitates proper alignment whiletacking down the film. Exemplary devices include, but are not limitedto, cellular telephones, digital music players, audio recorders, laptopcomputers, personal digital assistants, satellite radios, watches, GPSdevices, digital cameras, portable DVD players, portable gaming systems,tablet computers, touch screen displays, and the like. The devicestypically include a screen wherein data is displayed, however, a devicewithout a screen is also contemplated herein.

The present invention provides several significant advantages over priorrelated protective covers. Many advantages will be apparent in light ofthe detailed description set forth below, with reference to theaccompanying drawings. These advantages are not meant to be limiting inany way. Indeed, one skilled in the art will appreciate that otheradvantages may be realized, other than those specifically recitedherein, upon practicing the present invention.

With reference now to FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B, a protective cover 10 is shownhaving a first layer comprising a film 15 configured to cover an outersurface of an electronic device 11. The film 15 comprises a materialwhich is scratch resistant and transparent so as to permit the user tocontinue to view a screen display or other features of the device whileavoiding scratches or other unwanted surface defects. The film 15 hasopposing first 16 and second 17 sides. A second layer 20 is removablydisposed about a first portion of the first side 16 of the film 15. Athird layer 30 is removably disposed about a second portion of the firstside 16 of the film 15. The portion of the film 15 covered by the secondlayer 20 is greater than the portion of the film 15 covered by the thirdlayer 30. The third layer 30 comprises a tab member 35 disposed about anedge 31 of the third layer 30. The tab member 35 is placed on the thirdlayer 30 such that a center axis 36 of the tab member 35 issubstantially collinear with a center axis 32 of the third layer 30.

In one aspect of the invention, the film 15 is made of an opticallyclear material of a scratch resistant type such as polyvinyl,polyurethane, or polycarbonate. Film thicknesses may range from between2 and 16 mils (or thousandths of an inch). The second 20 and third 30layers are made from silicone coated paper or coated polyester and rangein thicknesses from between 1 and 10 mils. One of skill in the art,however, will appreciate that numerous different types of materials anddifferent thicknesses can be used for the above-referenced layers whichachieve the same functionality.

While not necessary to the invention, an adhesive material (such as apressure sensitive adhesive) is disposed about the first side 16 of thefilm 15. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, however, thatthe film 15 may be applied or tacked to the surface of the electronicdevice 11 using an adhesive, by heat bonding, pressure bonding, and thelike. The pressure sensitive adhesive facilitates tacking or securingthe film 15 to the electronic device 11 or other desired surface. In oneaspect of the invention, the second layer 20 is removed from the film 15thereby exposing the adhesive. A user may then secure the portion of thefilm 15 exposed on an edge of an electronic device 11 as suits aparticular application. In one aspect of the invention, the user maysecure the exposed portion of the film 15 to a top edge 12 of anelectronic device 11. The user may then grab the tab member 35 andremove the third layer 30 by pulling downward in the direction that thefilm 15 is to be installed on the electronic device 11. Once the film 15is tacked down onto the electronic device 11, removal is cumbersome anddamaging to the film 15. In many instances, the film 15 becomes unusableand/or surface imperfections are introduced onto the film 15. Because acenter axis 36 of the tab member 35 is collinear with a center axis 32of the third layer 30 (which may be collinear with the center axisthrough the length of the electronic device 11) the film 15 is moreeasily aligned prior to tacking the majority of the film 15 to thesurface of the electronic device 11. In this manner, the user avoidsimproper application of the film 15 and can remove and realign smallportions of the film 15 if initially improperly installed. Additionally,the user is permitted to align and secure the film 15 to the electronicdevice 11 without having to touch the adhesive bearing side of the film15. In this manner, no fingerprints are left on the adhesive and noportion of the adhesive is inadvertently removed by the user's touch.Moreover, the tab member 35 allows the user to remove the second layer20 without touching the film 15 beneath the second layer 20.Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a portion of the second layer20 may be disposed beneath a portion of the third layer 30. In thismanner a lip or leading edge 33 of the top of the third layer 30 isexposed as the second layer 20 is removed facilitating ease of removalof the third layer 30.

In one aspect of the invention, a separate tab member (not shown) isalso disposed about the second layer 20. In another aspect, the secondlayer 20 may simply extend beyond an outer perimeter of the film 15providing the user with something to hold onto during removal of thesecond layer 20. The tab member 35 of the third layer 30 extends acrosssubstantially an entire top edge of the third layer 30. Put another way,the tab member 35 is as wide as the third layer 30. This limitation,however, is not required so long as the central axis 32 (FIGS. 2A and2B) of the third layer 30 is collinear with the central axis 36 (FIGS.2A and 2B) of the tab member 35. In one embodiment of the invention, inthe event that the third layer 30 is rectangular, the tab member 35 issubstantially collinear with a center longitudinal axis of the thirdlayer 30. In another aspect of the invention, the tab member 35 extendsacross an entire side edge of the third layer 30.

In still another embodiment, the tab member 35 is shaped to approximatethe portion of the film 15 that is covered by the second layer 20.Advantageously, during manufacturing, the third layer 30 may be cut as asingle member which is shaped to approximate the film 15. In thismanner, a separate manufacturing step may be avoided or the same die maybe used to cut the film 15 as is used to cut the third layer 30.However, the tab member 35 may extend beyond the perimeter of the film15 and may not be shaped to approximate the film 15 as suits aparticular application or need.

In another embodiment, the cover may also comprise a fourth layer 40(FIGS. 1, 3, and 4) removably disposed about the second side 17 of thefilm 15. The fourth layer 40 comprises a substantially inelasticmaterial that ranges in thickness from between 0.5 to 5 mils. Duringinstallation of the first sides 16 of the films 15 on electronicdevices, it is common for users to place an amount of force to the film15 that is parallel to the planar surface of the film 15. This oftenresults in stretching of the film 15 during application due to the film15's inherent elasticity. Because the film 15 is sized to approximatethe shape of the surface to be covered, undue stretching also results inmisapplication of the film 15. This overstretching of the film 15results in the same problems referenced above, including removal andreapplication of a film 15 that has already been secured to a surfacewith an adhesive. Advantageously, use of a fourth layer 40 removablydisposed about the second side 17 of the film 15 minimizesoverstretching of the film 15 during application when the fourth layer40 is inelastic and assists in proper alignment. Because the fourthlayer 40 is removed after the film 15 is secured in place, it may belabeled with company logos or branding to identify the cover wherelabeling on the film 15 itself is not feasible.

An additional advantage of the fourth layer 40 is recognized duringmanufacture of the protective cover 10. A method of manufacturing and/orcreating a tab member 35 associated with the protective cover 10described herein, includes placement of a release liner (i.e., the thirdlayer 30) about the adhesive-treated side of the film 15 and thenfolding back a portion of the release liner 30 away from the film 15 tocreate the tab member 35. Due to the film 15's inherent flexibility andelasticity, manipulation of the third layer 30 to create the tab member35 can be extremely difficult. With the added rigidity of the fourthlayer 40 as well as the ability to contact the surface of the fourthlayer 40 without damage to its surface, manipulation of the protectivecover 10 to create the tab member 35 is simplified.

It is to be understood that the fourth layer 40 may come in numerousshapes and sizes and still fall within the spirit and scope of theinvention. That is, the fourth layer 40 may be sized to approximate theentire shape of the film 15 (i.e., the first layer) or it may have adifferent shape so long as it functions to minimize stretching of thefilm 15 during application. For example, the fourth layer 40 may extendsubstantially from a top portion of the film 15 to a bottom portion ofthe film 15 but may be narrower than the width of the film 15. Thefourth layer 40 in this example is positioned such that duringinstallation, the user grabs the fourth layer 40. In this aspect of theinvention, a center axis of the fourth layer 40 is collinear with acenter axis of the film 15. The fourth layer 40 is made from polyesteror some other suitable material that exhibits less elasticity than thefilm 15.

Referring now to FIG. 5, in another embodiment of the present invention,a cover for an electronic device is disclosed with a first layercomprising a film 50 having opposing first and second sides. The film 50is flexible. As with the film 15 above, the film 50 is configured tocover an outer surface of an electronic device. A second layer 55, whichis flexible, is shown removably disposed about substantially all of thefirst side 51 of the film 50. A third layer 60 comprising a rigid orsemi-rigid material (such as plastic or rubber) is affixed to an endportion of the second layer 55. The third layer 60 ranges generally from1 to 25 mils and may be permanently affixed to the second layer 55 orintegrally formed with the second layer 55 during manufacture, thoughone of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that it may be thinneror thicker as suits a particular purpose. In one aspect, the third layer60 may comprise a hard plastic or rubber material enabling simplifiedfolding of the second layer 55 and third layer 60 to create a tabmember.

In one aspect of the invention, the third layer 60 covers less thanfifty percent of the second layer 55 and wherein a center axis of thethird layer 60 is substantially collinear with a center axis of thesecond layer 55. In a different embodiment, the third layer 60 coversless than 25 percent of the second layer 55 and in still a differentembodiment, the third layer 60 covers less than 10 percent of the secondlayer 55. Advantageously, the third layer 60 provides a surface for theuser to fold at a bottom edge of the third layer 60 thereby creating atab member out of the second layer 55 and the third layer 60 foralignment and installation of the film 50. Simultaneously, as the secondlayer 55 and the third layer 60 are folded, an area of the film 50beneath the folded area 53 is exposed for adhesion to a surface of adevice. Progressively smaller areas which cover the second layer 55provide progressively smaller areas of the film 50 that are exposed foradhesion to the surface of a device. Smaller areas provide for minimizedexposure to unwanted contact with the film 50 prior to tacking of thefilm 50.

In an additional aspect of the invention, the third layer 60 isconfigured such that a top edge of the third layer 60 is substantiallyparallel with a top edge of the second layer 55. Moreover, opposing sidesurfaces of the third layer 60 are substantially parallel with opposingside surfaces of the second layer 55 and a bottom edge 61 of the thirdlayer 60 is substantially perpendicular to a center axis of the secondlayer 55. In the event that the third layer 60 is substantiallyrectangular, a center longitudinal axis of the third layer 60 isperpendicular to a center axis of the second layer 55. In one aspect ofthe invention, a fourth layer 65 is removably disposed about a portionof the second side 52 of the film 50. In one aspect of the invention,the fourth layer 65 comprises a substantially inelastic material. Aswith the embodiment referenced above, the substantially inelasticmaterial minimizes overstretching of the film 50 during installation.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a cover for an electronic device is providedhaving a first layer comprising a film 70 with opposing first and secondsides. The film 70 is flexible. As with the films in the otherembodiments, the film 70 is configured to cover an outer surface of anelectronic device. A second layer 75, which is flexible, is removablydisposed about substantially all of the first side of the film 70. Agroove 76 is installed across the second layer 75 perpendicular to acenter axis 77 of the second layer 75. In one aspect, the groove 76 doesnot penetrate the entire thickness of the second layer 75 so as to avoidscoring of the first layer 70. The groove 76 creates a predeterminedfold line to enable a user to fold the second layer 75 at the groove 76thereby creating a tab member and also defining a first portion 74 and asecond portion 78 of the second layer 75. In one aspect of theinvention, a center axis of the tab member is collinear with a centeraxis of the second layer 75. The tab may be as long as the second layer75 itself and wide enough so that a user may grasp it between the thumband forefinger. For example, the tab may be from 0.25 to 1 inch wide. Inone aspect of the invention, opposing side edges of the first portion 74extend beyond the side edge of the film 70 and in others the tab may becontained within and/or be smaller than the width of the film 70.Additionally, a third substantially inelastic layer 80 is removablydisposed about a second side of the film 70 to provide a stabilizingmember during application to minimize overstretching of the film 70.

Referring still to FIG. 6, in another embodiment of the invention, thethird substantially inelastic layer 80 is more rigid than the secondlayer 75 facilitating folding of the second layer 75 to create a tabmember. In one aspect of the invention, a method of covering anelectronic device by an end user is provided. The method comprises thesteps of obtaining a first layer 70 comprising a flexible film with asecond flexible layer 75 removably disposed thereon. The third layer 80,which is substantially inelastic, is removably disposed on the film (orfirst layer) 70 opposite the side having the second layer 75. Becausethe third layer 80 is more rigid than the second layer 75, a user maygrab a portion of the second layer 75 by an end and fold it over againstitself to create a tab member for use in installing the film 70 on asurface of a device while simultaneously exposing a portion of the film70 for tacking to the device. It is to be understood that differentfolds may be made at different portions of the second layer 75 withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, afold may be made across a top portion of the second layer 75, a sideportion of the second layer 75, or a bottom portion of the second layer75, so long as the line of the fold is perpendicular to the direction inwhich the film 70 is to be installed on the device. Advantageously, thethird layer 80 stabilizes the cover allowing the user to more easilyfold the second layer 75 away from the film 70. Additionally, asdiscussed in more detail above, the third layer 80 also minimizesover-stretching of the film 70 and problems attendant to stretching.

It is to be understood that the above-referenced arrangements areillustrative of the application for the principles of the presentinvention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements andprocedures can be devised without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention while the present invention has been shown in thedrawings and described above in connection with the exemplaryembodiments of the invention. It will be apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art that numerous modifications and alternative protectivecovers can be made without departing from the principles and concepts ofthe invention as set forth in the claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A method for protecting a surface of an electronicdevice, comprising: removing at least a portion of a liner from aperipheral portion of a back side of a protective cover to exposeadhesive on the peripheral portion of the back side of the protectivecover; aligning the peripheral portion of the back side of theprotective cover with a corresponding location on a peripheral portionof the surface of the electronic device; securing the peripheral portionof the back side of the protective cover to the corresponding locationon the peripheral portion of the surface of the electronic device withthe adhesive on the peripheral portion of the back side of theprotective cover; with the peripheral portion of the back side of theprotective cover properly aligned with and secured to the correspondinglocation on the peripheral portion of the surface of the electronicdevice, securing the peripheral portion of the back side of theprotective cover to corresponding locations on the surface of theelectronic device.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the surface of theelectronic device is visible through the protective cover.
 3. The methodof claim 2, wherein: aligning the peripheral portion of the back side ofthe protective cover with the corresponding location on the peripheralportion of the surface of the electronic device comprises aligning theperipheral portion of the back side of the protective cover with acorresponding location on a peripheral portion of a display screen ofthe electronic device; securing the peripheral portion of the back sideof the protective cover to the corresponding location on the peripheralportion of the surface of the electronic device comprises securing theperipheral portion of the back side of the protective cover to thecorresponding location on the peripheral portion of the display screenof the electronic device; and securing the peripheral portion of theback side of the protective cover to the corresponding locations on thesurface of the electronic device comprises securing the peripheralportion of the back side of the protective cover to a correspondinglocations on the display screen of the electronic device.
 4. The methodof claim 1, wherein securing the peripheral portion of the back side ofthe protective cover to the corresponding location on the peripheralportion of the surface of the electronic device comprises securing theperipheral portion of the back side to an edge of the surface of theelectronic device.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:removing the peripheral portion of the back side of the protective coverfrom the corresponding location on the peripheral portion of the surfaceof the electronic device; realigning the peripheral portion of the backside of the protective cover with the corresponding location on theperipheral portion of the surface of the electronic device; andrepositioning the peripheral portion of the back side of the protectivecover on the corresponding location on the peripheral portion of thesurface of the electronic device.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein theacts of removing, realigning and repositioning occur without theindividual touching the peripheral portion of the back side of theprotective cover.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein removing at leastthe portion of the liner comprises: grasping a tab protruding from anedge of the liner; and while holding the tab, peeling at least theportion of the liner from the peripheral portion of the back side of theprotective cover.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein grasping the tabcomprises grasping a tab protruding beyond a periphery of the protectivecover.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein grasping the tab enables anindividual to remove at least the portion of the liner from theperipheral portion of the back side of the protective cover withouttouching the adhesive the peripheral portion of the back side of theprotective cover.
 10. The method of claim 3, wherein securing theperipheral portion of the back side of the protective cover to thecorresponding locations on the surface of the electronic deviceincludes: lifting an edge of the protective cover opposite from theperipheral portion of the back side of the protective cover away fromthe remainder of the surface of the electronic device.
 11. The method ofclaim 10, wherein securing the peripheral portion of the back side ofthe protective cover to the corresponding locations on the surface ofthe electronic device further includes: grasping an edge of the linerlocated adjacent to the peripheral portion of the back side of theprotective cover; and pulling the edge of the liner away from theperipheral portion of the back side of the protective cover tocontinuously expose portions of the majority of the back side of theprotective cover and to progressively secure the portions of themajority of the back side to the remainder of the surface of theelectronic device.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein removing at leastthe portion of the liner comprises removing at least the portion of theliner with at least the portion of the liner being detached from a mainelement of the liner and a majority of the back side of the protectivecover remaining covered by the main element of the liner.
 13. The methodof claim 12, wherein securing the peripheral portion of the back side ofthe protective cover occurs while the main element of the liner preventsa portion of the protective cover superimposed with the main elementfrom being secured in place relative to the surface of the electronicdevice.
 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising: with theperipheral portion of the back side of the protective cover properlyaligned with and secured to the corresponding location on the peripheralportion of the surface of the electronic device, grasping the mainelement of the liner to remove the main element of the liner from themajority of the back side of the protective cover to enable a remainderof the adhesive on the majority of the back side of the protective coverto secure the protective cover to the surface of the electronic device.15. A method for protecting a surface of an electronic device,comprising: removing at least a portion of a liner from a peripheralportion of a back side of a protective cover to expose adhesive on theperipheral portion of the back side of the protective cover, at leastthe portion of the liner being detached from a main element of theliner, a majority of the back side of the protective cover remainingcovered by the main element of the liner; aligning the peripheralportion of the back side of the protective cover with a correspondinglocation on a peripheral portion of the surface of the electronicdevice; securing the peripheral portion of the back side of theprotective cover to the corresponding location on the peripheral portionof the surface of the electronic device without securing a portion ofthe protective cover superimposed with the main element in placerelative to the surface of the electronic device; with the peripheralportion of the back side of the protective cover properly aligned withand secured to the corresponding location on the peripheral portion ofthe surface of the electronic device, grasping the main element of theliner to remove the main element of the liner from the majority of theback side of the protective cover, securing the majority of the backside of the protective cover to a remainder of the surface of theelectronic device.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the surface ofthe electronic device is visible through the protective cover.
 17. Themethod of claim 16, wherein: aligning the peripheral portion of the backside of the protective cover with the corresponding location on theperipheral portion of the surface of the electronic device comprisesaligning the peripheral portion of the back side of the protective coverwith a corresponding location on a peripheral portion of a displayscreen of the electronic device; securing the peripheral portion of theback side of the protective cover to the corresponding location on theperipheral portion of the surface of the electronic device comprisessecuring the peripheral portion of the back side of the protective coverto the corresponding location on the peripheral portion of the displayscreen of the electronic device; and securing the majority of the backside of the protective cover to the remainder of the surface of theelectronic device comprises securing the majority of the back side ofthe protective cover to a remainder of the display screen of theelectronic device.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein securing theperipheral portion of the back side of the protective cover to thecorresponding location on the peripheral portion of the surface of theelectronic device comprises securing the peripheral portion of the backside of the protective cover to an edge of the surface of the electronicdevice.
 19. The method of claim 15, further comprising: removing theperipheral portion of the back side of the protective cover from thecorresponding location on the peripheral portion of the surface of theelectronic device; realigning the peripheral portion of the back side ofthe protective cover with the corresponding location on the peripheralportion of the surface of the electronic device; and repositioning theperipheral portion of the back side of the protective cover on thecorresponding location on the peripheral portion of the surface of theelectronic device.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the acts ofremoving, realigning and repositioning occur while an individualmanually holds the main element of the liner and the protective coverwithout the individual touching the peripheral portion of the back sideof the protective cover.
 21. The method of claim 15, wherein removing atleast the portion of the liner comprises: grasping a tab protruding froman edge of at least the portion of the liner; and while holding the tab,peeling at least the portion of the liner from the peripheral portion ofthe back side of the protective cover.
 22. The method of claim 21,wherein grasping the tab comprises grasping a tab protruding beyond aperiphery of the protective cover.
 23. The method of claim 21, whereingrasping the tab enables an individual to remove at least the portion ofthe liner from the peripheral portion of the back side of the protectivecover without touching the peripheral portion of the back side of theprotective cover.
 24. The method of claim 17, wherein securing themajority of the back side of the protective cover to the remainder ofthe surface of the electronic device includes: lifting an edge of theprotective cover opposite from a peripheral portion of the protectivecover that has been secured to the corresponding location on theperipheral portion of the surface away from the remainder of the surfaceof the electronic device.
 25. The method of claim 24, wherein securingthe majority of the back side of the protective cover to the remainderof the surface of the electronic device further includes: grasping anedge of the main element of the liner located adjacent to the peripheralportion of the back side of the protective cover; and pulling the edgeof the main element of the liner away from the peripheral portion of theback side of the protective cover to continuously expose portions of themajority of the back side of the protective cover and to progressivelysecure the portions of the majority of the back side to the remainder ofthe surface of the electronic device.